Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct

The SKA Organisation (SKAO) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of business ethics, and as such we have a formal Code of Ethics which applies to everyone involved in SKAO-related business. A separate Code of Conduct for Meetings is also in place, reflecting the SKAO’s commitment to ensuring that everyone can enjoy taking part in its science, training and public outreach activities.

Code of Ethics

SKA Organisation expects everyone involved in SKAO-related business to uphold the standards and expected professional behaviour set out in this Code of Ethics.

This Code of Ethics (the Code) includes participation in SKAO-sponsored or organised activities (e.g., meetings, publications, etc.) as well as covering all staff members, temporary workers, secondees, interns, consortium members, contractors, agents, affiliates, meeting attendees and others working for or on behalf of the SKA Organisation.

This Code sits alongside the SKAO Code of Conduct (details below) which is also applicable for anyone who works directly for SKAO either as a staff member, temporary worker, secondee, intern or contractor and includes those acting on behalf of the organisation such as members of the SKAO Board of Directors.

This Code of Ethics does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and SKAO may amend it at any time.

Code of Conduct for Meetings

Philip Diamond, SKA Director-General

12th September 2018

SKA Organisation is committed to making its science, training and public outreach activities productive and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, nationality or religion. In line with SKAO’s Code of Ethics, we have expected levels of professional behaviour that include treating others with respect and contributing to a positive working environment that is free from harassment, bullying and discrimination. We will not tolerate any breaches of these expected behaviours by anyone attending our meetings.

This Code of Conduct for Meetings applies to anyone attending SKAO-organised meetings and includes all scientists, students and staff who are members or associates of SKA Organisation. It also applies to participants and instructors in SKA Organisation training programmes, workshops, conferences and all other events or activities sponsored or organised by SKA Organisation.

Please follow these guidelines:

Behave professionally. Harassment and sexist, racist or exclusionary comments or jokes are not appropriate. Harassment includes sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, deliberate intimidation, stalking, and photography or recording of an individual without consent. It also includes offensive comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion.

All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual or sexist language and imagery is not appropriate.

Be considerate and respectful towards others. Do not insult or put down other attendees.

All forms of social media should be used responsibly, respecting both individuals and the organisation hosting the meeting.

Individuals asked to stop any inappropriate behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Anyone violating these rules may be asked to leave the event at the discretion of the SKA Organisation event organiser(s), or the relevant event organisers (without a refund of any registration or admission fee). Any participant who wishes to report a violation of this policy may do so in confidence by sending an email to HR@skatelescope.org. Any investigation will be consistent with the principles set out in our Code of Ethics. The details of which may be seen here.